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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Visit The White House

The President and Dr. Biden are delighted to welcome members of the public to tour the White House. Public tour requests are scheduled through your Member of Congress and their Congressional Tour Coordinator. Constituents may reach your Member of Congress and Congressional Tour Coordinator through the U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard at 202-225-3121, the U.S. Senate Switchboard at 202-224-3121, or online at  www.congress.gov/members .

Consistent with prior practices, public White House tour requests must be submitted a minimum of 21 days in advance and no more than 90 days in advance of the requested tour date(s). Reservations cannot be accepted for tour dates outside this 21 – 90-day window.  

Public tours are typically available from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, excluding Federal holidays or unless otherwise noted. If your tour is confirmed, please note that you will be assigned a specific time.  All White House tours are free of charge. The White House tour schedule is subject to change, with little notice, based on inclement weather or official use.

If you are a citizen of a foreign country, please contact your embassy in Washington, D.C. for assistance in submitting a tour request.

Identification Requirements

All U.S. citizens ages 18 and older, and foreign nationals of all ages (including children), must present a valid, government-issued photo ID upon arrival for their tour. Acceptable forms of identification are below.

U.S. CITIZENS

• United States Driver’s License
• Valid United States Passport
• United States Military ID

FOREIGN NATIONALS

• Valid Passport
• Alien Registration Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• U.S. State Department Issued Diplomatic ID Card

A U.S. driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification for foreign nationals. No foreign-issued state IDs, foreign-issued driver’s licenses, expired passports, photocopies, other transmissions of these documents, or other forms of identification will be accepted. Individuals without acceptable identification, or whose identification does not exactly match the information previously registered, may be denied entry.

Prohibited Items

• Bags of any kind (including fanny packs and clutches)
• Cameras with detachable lenses
• Electric stun guns
• E-cigarettes
• Knives of any kind
• Martial arts
• Tobacco Products
• Toy Weapons
• Video cameras
• Weapons/devices
• Any pointed object
• Any other item determined to be a potential safety hazard

Please note that storage facilities are not provided during your visit. Individuals who arrive with bags or prohibited items will not be permitted to enter the White House.

Permitted Items

• Baby carriers worn on the body
• Breast pumps
• Cell phones
• Compact cameras with lenses less than 3 inches
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• All items needed for medical purposes (i.e. wheelchairs, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Getting Here

Use of public transportation is strongly encouraged, as there is no parking available on the White House complex and street parking is limited. The closest Metrorail stations to the White House are Federal Triangle (blue and orange lines), Metro Center (blue, orange, silver, and red lines), and McPherson Square (blue, orange, and silver lines).

The White House Tour entrance is located in Sherman Park at 15th Street NW and Alexander Hamilton Place NW. If arriving by rideshare, use the White House Visitor Center (WHVC) as the drop-off address. The WHVC is located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, which is one block from the White House.

Restrooms are located at the White House Visitors Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. There are no restrooms available once you arrive for your tour.

Accessibility

The White House tour route is wheelchair accessible. Visitors who wish to use a White House wheelchair should notify a U.S. Secret Service officer upon arrival.

Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

Health and Safety Guidance

Guests who receive a confirmed tour reservation will be issued a White House Tour Pass ahead of their tour date containing pertinent health and safety guidance.

Know Before You Go

• Tours are self-guided and last approximately 45 minutes
• Eat a snack and stay hydrated prior to arrival.
• Dress for the weather, knowing you will be outside before your tour.
• Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
• No late arrivals are accepted.
• All guests must be previously registered via the RSVP link provided by the White House.
• Please silence your cell phone and refrain from phone calls during the tour.
• No flash photography or video recording is permitted during your tour.
• Visitors may call the 24-hour Visitors Office information line at 202-456-7041 for latest updates and information relevant to White House tours.

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White house visitor center, features many aspects of the white house, including its architecture, furnishings, first families and social events..

The White House Visitor Center is a nearly 1,600 square foot museum-caliber visitor experience featuring interactive exhibits, a large-scale model of the White House, numerous tactile exhibits, museum galleries, a temporary exhibit area, and the White House Historical Association retail shop. The Visitor Center provides a window into the Executive Mansion and its history as a companion to a White House tour, or as a stand-alone experience for those without a tour. Nearly 100 artifacts are on display, some for the first timesuch as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk. The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service and is housed in historic Baldrige Hall in the Department of Commerce building. The Center includes a flagship retail store for the White House Historical Association that features new and treasured items that support their mission of enhancing the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House. The Visitor Center was designed with a strong focus on accessibility for all visitors, and the project team worked closely with the National Center for Accessibility to achieve a fully accessible experience. To plan your visit to the White House Visitor Center, please visit the National Park Service website.

Additional Information

Metro station.

Federal Triangle, Metro Center

1450 Pennsylvania Ave. NW U.S. Dept. of Commerce Bldg. Washington , DC 20230 United States

(202) 208-1631.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

White House Public Tour Tickets

This post is an article on how to get White House tour tickets, plus tips for planning your visit, such as tips for dealing with security.

How to apply for tickets is a common question from visitors on our walking tours.

However, if you are asking one of our tour guides after arriving in Washington, DC, you are definitely too late.

So, we've created this post to help you secure tickets plus plan your visit, both before and after your tour.

The White House is open to public tours usually from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday, except for Federal Holidays.

Reservations must be arranged in advance.

It is hard to get a White House tour but the further in advance you request and the more flexibility you offer in dates, the better your chances.

These are to tour the main building, West Wing tours are a different experience and even harder to get tickets. I was lucky enough to get a West Wing tour if you want to see photos!

There is no cost to tour the White House, but you will need to apply for free tickets. Both U.S. nationals and foreign visitors can tour the White House.

To visit the White House, it's important to know that you must  reserve your tickets in advance ,   MONTHS in advance. 

You can submit a request for White House tours up to 3 months in advance and must do so no later than 3 weeks.

Don’t apply early or late or you risk having your request automatically denied.

You can increase your odds of getting a White House tour by requesting a reservation as soon as you possibly can.

For U.S. citizens and residents, requests must go through the office of the Member of Congress for your district ( find your Member here ).

If you are coming during the peak tourism seasons of March-April or June-August, we recommend closer to the 3-month mark.

The White House only accepts requests between 21-90 days before your requested dates.

If you are from a foreign country, you are advised to go through your embassy in Washington D.C. Not all embassies will be interested or helpful in the request.

However, nothing stops you from requesting a tour through any Member of Congress.

There is no real requirement that you be a resident of their district or state to do so. Therefore, it's worth a try.  

Most will ask you for contact information at home and during your stay in DC, dates available for tours, and the total number of persons in your group.

You'll also be required to provide information for security clearance, including:

• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number (only U.S. residents 18 and older)
• Citizenship
• City, State of Residence

How long before I hear back about my White House request?

Typically, once you have submitted your visitor info, you will receive an email two weeks before your requested dates informing you if you were selected for a tour.

If you do NOT get approved, the communication varies and depends. Some people have gotten rejection letters and some have just never heard back.

Assume if you haven't heard back a few days prior to your trip that you were not approved.

You can also visit the White House Visitor Center . It's actually a few blocks from the White House, but it's a great alternative to interior tours.

You can always see the White House from the street, as well.

There are a number of great views of the White House that we talk about - but the closest is from Pennsylvania Avenue NW by Lafayette Square.

But, if you are accepted, then read on for tips on planning your trip.

• Plan Your Visit
• Virtual Tour
• Visitor Center
• Things to Do in DC
• Free Tours by Foot

PLAN YOUR VISIT

In this section, we go over where to enter the White House grounds, how to get there, as well as security and prohibited items . 

WHITE HOUSE TOUR ENTRANCE

We strongly recommend using our Google Maps for directions to the tour entry point . 

There is no White House Metro Station.

The closest metro stop to the tour entrance is Metro Center ( red , orange , blue, and silver lines ) (take the 13 th Street exit), which is just a 7-minute walk.

When you come up the escalators, you will be facing 13th Street.

Take 13th Street southbound (downhill) and make a right turn on E Street and proceed straight until you reach 15th Street.  

McPherson Square Metro station ( orange , blue, and silver lines)  is also close to the White House.

Public transportation is recommended for reaching the White House.

If you must drive, you can find a parking spot at a nearby garage through a service called SpotHero .

This website allows you to reserve guaranteed parking spots ahead of time, often for a cheaper price than the garage itself would charge.

If you've been granted a tour, you need to arrive before your meeting time at the visitors' entrance.

Note: This is NOT at the Visitor Center.

Click here for a 360-degree view .

The tour lines up along 15th Street NW on the west side of the street by the William Tecumseh Sherman Statue.

It's across the street from where Pennsylvania Avenue NW dead-ends at 15th St NW.

You'll check in with the National Park Service Park Ranger standing guard outside the temporary fence.

There is no specific street address or sign - you just have to know you're in the right place, but since there is often a line it should be easy to spot.

You can click on the 360-degree view to familiarize yourself with the surrounding area. 

SECURITY AND PROHIBITED ITEMS

Security is a concern everywhere in Washington, but nowhere more than in the White House.

You will need a valid government-issued photo ID or passport to gain entry into the White House for every member of your group. Foreign nationals must use their passport.

You will have to stand in line for security, so make sure to arrive at least half an hour before your tour time. (longer in peak seasons, or with a group).  

WHITE HOUSE DRESS CODE

There is no dress code to tour the White House, but due to the importance of the building, you should want to dress neatly.

The list of what you can’t bring into the White House is extensive:

• no video devices; video cameras including any action camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods, and camera sticks are not permitted. Video recording is not permitted.
• no strollers.
• no food, beverages, tobacco products, liquids, gels, or lotions.
• no guns, firearms, knives, other sharp objects, martial arts equipment, etc.
• no purses, backpacks, handbags, etc.   * If you need a place to store these kinds of items, some nearby hotel concierges may be willing to store the bags for a small fee.

The list of things you can bring to the White House is not extensive:

• umbrellas 

Cameras are now permitted on tour!

Smartphones and compact cameras with a lens no longer than 3 inches (stills only) are permitted on the public tour route as long as their use does not interfere with other guests’ enjoyment of the tour. 

Flash photography or live streaming as well as talking or texting on cellular phones is not permitted while on the tour.

Where can I leave the rest of my belongings while I tour the White House?

If you can't leave your belongings at your hotel, then consider storage facilities.

For $6/bag for up to 24 hours, you can store your bags in nearby stores, souvenir shops, and even other hotels.

Once you are inside, the tour is self-guided and will take about half an hour.

NOTE: There are no restrooms on the White House tour.

Though the White House has 132 rooms in total, you are only shown through several rooms that they use for entertaining. 

You will NOT see the family living quarters, the Oval Office, or the West Wing ( read about my experience of the West Wing tour! ) So, don't expect to meet President Joe Biden on your White House Tour.

Small tip: there are secret service agents in every room, you can interact with them and ask them questions, they are usually really nice and very informative.

After you line up along 15th Street, you'll have your reservation checked and then line up again for an ID check.

You'll cross a street and then have your ID checked again.

All of these checks are outdoors so keep that in mind when preparing for your visit - you're outside for around 30 minutes before your tour.

You then go through security to enter the East Wing of the White House.

What Will I See on a Public Tour of the White House?

The tour is self-guided though there are occasionally guards who can answer some questions.

Each room has a placard or two explaining what you're seeing with some information.

The tour is self-paced and you can go back if needed to previous rooms, but you will not be able to exit the building and reenter.

You will see the East Garden from the hallway, the movie theatre, the China Room, the Vermeil Room, the East Room, the Green Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, and the State Dining Room.

Throughout you'll also see a number of presidential portraits.

There is a gift shop inside the White House that sells the famous White House Christmas ornament and many other items from the White House Historical Association.

You'll exit the White House from what used to be the primary entrance facing the North Lawn and exit out the gates by the Lafayette Statue.

Will I See the President on a White House Tour?

You are unlikely to meet the President or First Lady on the White House tour, but you never know who you might see at the White House complex, including cabinet members or prominent visitors.

VIRTUAL TOURS OF THE WHITE HOUSE

These videos offer virtual tours inside various parts of the White House that you do not get to see on White House public tours.

Inside the Residence

Tour of the West Wing

Video Tour of the Situation Room

Learn About the West Wing Marines

Watch Marine One Land on South Lawn

You will see many helicopters during your visit to Washington, D.C. and they usually won't be transporting the President.

Most of the helicopters fly along the National Mall - over the Tidal Basin and Potomac River.

When you see three helicopters fly across the National Mall, right past the Washington Monument (that is why there are the red flashing lights on the top), one of those is Marine One.

So how do you watch Marine One take off/land?

For advance planning, you can keep an eye on the President's Schedule. It will give an approximate time when the president departs the South Lawn.

Keep in mind, it sometimes is early or late and they don't give any warning!

Marine One is often used to transport the President to Joint Base Andrews to board Air Force One.

If you're already in the area, you might notice some of the ways they prepare for Marine One:

• Snipers are always on the roof of the White House, but when the President is leaving the White House, you'll also see them on the corners of area buildings.
• Two decoy/escort helicopters will accompany Marine One but not land. You will always see a group of three helicopters.
• The walkway to the South Lawn fence is closed. While you're normally can walk right up to the South Lawn fence, they won't let you get that close when Marine One is landing.

Where to stand to watch Marine One land?

The best place to watch Marine One land if you want to be as close as possible is on the south side of the White House, an area called The Ellipse.

Normally, the circular sidewalk that forms the ellipse is open to the public but when the President is leaving - the side closest to the White House is closed.

You can, however, walk directly on the grass to the center of the Ellipse.

If you line yourself up with the Washington Monument behind you and the White House South Lawn Fountain in front of you, the helicopter will fly right over your head!

If you want to watch Marine One with some DC landmarks in the frame, stand at the WWII Memorial, facing the Washington Monument.

The three helicopters will fly in front of the Washington Monument lining up for a great photo op.

What kind of helicopter is Marine One?

Officially, any helicopter that the President is on is Marine One.

That is the call sign for any USMC aircraft that has the President on board, just like Air Force one denotes whatever plane is carrying the President.

It is usually operated by Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1 "Nighthawks"), only four pilots have this honor every year.

The type of helicopter is often a VH-3D Sea King:

or the VH-60N "WhiteHawk"

Marine One helicopters have standard military anti-missile countermeasures, and ballistic armor and can continue to fly even if it loses one of the three engines.

It can fit 14 passengers but is quiet enough that the President can use a normal tone of voice on his secure line to the White House.

NOTE: A few times a year when the President is out of the country, you will see a helicopter take off and land on the South Lawn on repeat for about half an hour - this is training!

The President isn't actually on the helicopter - but your Instagram followers won't know that!

THE WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER:

After an extensive revamping, the White House Visitor Center is now open again to the public.  

Read our overview of the museum and visitor center for more information.

The restoration work took over 2 years and cost $12.5 million, much of which came from private donations through the White House Historical Association.

There are over 90 new artifacts on display, many of which have never before been on display.

Some of our favorites are the desk that Franklin Delano Roosevelt sat at when he delivered his famous fireside chats and a scaled model of the White House.

Within the White House Visitor Center, you can watch a 14-minute film that takes you inside the White House and the lives of the First Families. 

Allow anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour for your visit here.

VISITOR TIP : The White House Visitor Center has a great gift shop. There is also a gift shop at 701 15th St NW called White House Gifts. Here can take a photo of yourself sitting behind a replica of the Presidential desk in the Oval Office!

Related Content:

• How to Get Tickets to the Washington Monument
• How to Tour the U.S. Capitol Building
• Can I tour the FBI Building?
• Watch Marine One Land on the White House Lawn
• White House Garden Tours
• White House Christmas Tours
• Easter Egg Roll

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White House tours are back: Here's what you need to know

I remember visiting the White House for the first time during former President George H.W. Bush's time in office.

A friend with a friend who worked in the Washington, D.C., landmark at the time — if that isn't a quintessential D.C. thing to say, I don't know what is — was couch surfing at my place and wanted to "pay" me with a tour of the presidential mansion.

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I happily accepted the offer and, not long after, found myself exploring the iconic building. In addition to checking out the usual rooms included in the tour, my friend scored us a peek inside the Oval Office, an experience I'll never forget.

Like many sites in D.C., the White House paused tours of its interior due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But after 14 months, the Biden Administration announced that tours will resume on Friday and Saturday mornings starting April 15.

As was the case before the pandemic, you can't just show up and ask for tickets. Instead, you'll need to plan your visit weeks in advance.

Before you finalize your itinerary, here's everything you need to know about White House tours, plus suggestions for where to stay nearby.

Although the White House is managed by the National Park Service, you can't reach out to the agency to get tickets. Instead, you'll need to request them from your member of Congress (or your embassy, if you're not a U.S. resident). You can do this between three months and 21 days in advance.

Tours are limited to Friday and Saturday mornings (excluding federal holidays or unless otherwise noted) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, so you'll want to request your tickets as early as possible.

When you submit your request, be sure to include three potential dates for your tour, as well as the number of individuals in your party. Try to avoid the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day and Christmas holidays, as tickets are a lot harder to come by during these busy times.

While you'll have a set tour time when you receive your tickets, know that unexpected events may occasionally cause your tour to be canceled at the last minute. If this happens, you'll need to submit a new request for a tour.

On the day of your tour, all members of your group who are 18 and older will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or military ID (or a passport, if they're from another country). Each person's name, date of birth, city and state given for the reserved tickets must exactly match the government-issued photo ID presented.

While face masks are not required during the tour, they will be available on site should you want to wear one. Items you're welcome to bring on the tour include:

• Compact cameras with lenses shorter than 3 inches long.
• Umbrellas without metal tips.
• Small personal items like wallets and cellphones.
• Items needed for medical purposes, such as wheelchairs (which you also can request at the Visitors Entrance), medications and mobility aids.

Keep in mind, though, that the White House's strict security protocols mean certain items are not permitted inside. These include:

• Video cameras, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, iPads, tripods, monopods and cameras sticks.
• Bags of any kind (handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags and camera bags).
• Any pointed object, including pocket knives.
• Food, liquids, aerosols, tobacco products and personal grooming items (makeup, lotion, etc.).
• Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, mace, martial arts weapons and devices, toy weapons and knives of any kind.

There is no storage available at the White House or the White House Visitor Center, so plan on keeping any prohibited items in your hotel safe or leaving them with a companion who isn't taking the tour.

What you'll see

After you've made your way through security, you'll embark on an hourlong tour that includes stops at several well-known spots in the building, including the family theater, the East Room (which you may recognize from press conferences and special events), the State Dining Room (a banquet hall and ceremonial chamber for official events) and the Blue Room (a reception room famous for its decorations during the holiday season).

Depending on what's going on during your visit (or who you know), you may also have the chance to see other spaces like the Oval Office and the South Lawn, where Marine One (the presidential helicopter) lands and departs.

To supplement your White House tour, check out the adjacent White House Visitor Center . Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the center is home to roughly 100 historical artifacts and offers an interactive touchscreen tour of the White House.

There's also the nearby White House Historical Association retail store , which sells a great selection of souvenirs, including history books, jewelry, cherry blossom items and the official White House Christmas ornament.

Where to stay

Washington, D.C. is home to many chain, independent and boutique hotels, and luckily, some of the best ones happen to be within walking distance of the White House. Here are some of my personal favorites — and their current room rates for October 2022.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

The Hay-Adams

This historic hotel located between the White House and Lafayette Park regularly shows up on lists of the best hotels in D.C., and for good reason. If you play your cards right, you can snag a room with White House and Washington Monument views.

Speaking of views, the property's top-floor Top of the Hay has French doors that open onto a wraparound balcony with panoramic White House and city skyline vistas. It has a full-service rooftop kitchen, making it a terrific space for meetings and special occasions.

Since The Hay-Adams is a boutique hotel, it does not participate in any major brand's loyalty program. As a result, you'll need to pay cash for your stay. Standard superior rooms start at $439 a night.

Hotel Washington

For a while, this 105-year-old hotel was known as the W Washington DC, but it reverted back to its original name in August 2021.

The chic property is known for the Vue, an open-air space regularly touted as one of the city's best rooftop bars. You'll also find a mix of rooms and suites, including some with jaw-dropping city views.

Cash rates for a standard queen room at this independently operated hotel start at $337 per night, but if you're looking for a show-stopping view, consider upgrading to one of the Monument suites. You'll enjoy sweet views of the Washington Monument for a minimum of $580 a night.

JW Marriott Washington, DC

One of Marriott's flagship hotels just happens to sit right on Pennsylvania Avenue, less than two blocks away from the White House and next door to the National Theatre.

Like other hotels on this list, the JW Marriott Washington, DC boasts rooms with incredible views of downtown and the city's popular monuments. You'll also find a moody bar and an American-inspired restaurant on site, should you crave a cocktail or bite to eat after sightseeing.

While standard rooms do not come with a Washington Monument view, for a slight price increase, you can reserve a king bedroom that overlooks the monument starting at $359 a night. If you have a stash of Marriott Bonvoy points, you can apply 50,000 to 60,000 points per night to cover a stay here.

Willard InterContinental Washington DC

The history of this hotel, which opened in 1818, almost goes back to the start of the republic. As such, it was the place to see and be seen for centuries.

When I moved to D.C. in 1978, the iconic Willard had been closed for 10 years and was just a decaying building on Pennsylvania Avenue. That same year, a team was chosen to redevelop the hotel into the stunning property it is today.

Ever since reopening in 1986, the IHG-affiliated hotel has drawn visitors with its ornate lobby and classically-styled rooms.

To book a king room with a premium view, expect to spend at least $517 per night or apply a minimum of 53,000 to 94,000 IHG Rewards points per night.

Kimpton Banneker Hotel

Located on a tree-lined avenue with a view down 16th Street Northwest to the White House, this Kimpton outpost is slightly off the beaten path ... in a good way.

The property's Lady Bird rooftop bar features a bird's-eye view of D.C., including an unobstructed look at the White House, and a centerpiece U-shaped bar. Rooms and suites feature modern, eye-catching designs with colorful local art and bold accent walls.

Because this property participates in the IHG Rewards program, you can use either cash or points to pay for a room here. A standard room with two queen beds starts at $315 or 53,000 points per night.

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the White House in Washington, D.C. [Includes Virtual Tour]

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Table of Contents

History of the white house, getting to the white house, how to schedule a tour of the white house, the white house experience mobile app (virtual tour), white house garden tour, the white house easter egg roll, white house visitor center, president ’s park, best place to take pictures of the white house, 20 facts about the white house, hotels near the white house, final thoughts.

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As the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States, the White House is one of the most easily recognizable and iconic buildings in the world. Home to every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800, the White House is a historically and culturally important building that attracts millions of visitors all year round.

The site for the White House was selected by George Washington back in 1791, with the cornerstone laid by Irish-born architect James Hoban 1 year later. The extensive and ambitious build took 8 years to complete, and although it was Washington that commissioned it, he sadly died before it was completed.

Originally known as the President’s House, it was the second President of the United States, President John Adams, and his wife that were the first to take up residence there . However, much of the original building was destroyed by a fire set by rampaging Brits in 1814. The newly built house was completed some 4 years later, and it has been called home by a succession of presidents and their families ever since.

During the early 20th century, various additions were made to the building, including the iconic West Wing that houses the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, the Situation Room, and the Roosevelt Room, among others. During the Great Depression, the White House suffered neglect as a result of dwindling funding, and urgent renovations were needed during the 1940s.

Now one of the most well-cared for and loved buildings in America, the White House as we know it today is home to 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 6 levels in residence , as well as 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases, and 3 elevators. Anyone visiting the capital city of Washington, D.C., should definitely try to pay a visit.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is probably one of the most famous addresses in the world. Taking a trip to visit the sprawling presidential home and offices is easy using almost any route.

There is a Metrobus stop located on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street, which is the closest stop to the White House Visitor Center. Pennsylvania Avenue Line numbers 30, 32, 34, 35, and 36 all stop there.

Union Station is around 1.5 miles away from the Visitor Center. Heading northeast along Massachusetts Avenue, you can take in the city as you walk there, or hop on the shuttle bus that leaves from outside the station every 10 minutes.

The Blue, Silver, and Orange lines stop at Farragut West, McPherson Square, or Metro Center stations, all of which are within easy walking distance of the Visitor Center.

There are several parking lots that are located close to the White House Visitor Center, but spaces can be difficult to find and expensive. Downtown D.C. is also rated as one of the worst cities for traffic in the U.S. , so it may be quicker to walk or use public transport than try to undertake the journey by car.

The White House is one of the most popular landmark attractions in the world. Every year, demand for tours outstrips the available places, so before your head off, make sure you know the best ways to maximize your chances of getting a tour inside the world-famous White House.

Planning Your Visit

In order to visit the rooms that are available for public inspection at the White House, you will need to book a tour in advance . Tours are free of charge and self-guided , but you must request permission to visit at least 3 weeks in advance of your arrival in order to receive clearance from the U.S. Secret Service.

You can request tours up to 3 months in advance via your member of Congress , but there is no guarantee that your request will be accepted.

The self-guided tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, but these timings can be subject to change depending on the White House schedules and events. Tours can also be canceled without prior notice, so be prepared.

Tours run in groups of 10 , and you will be placed in a group with other visitors before arrival if there are not enough in your own party. You will need to submit information about every member of your party, including their address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, and country of citizenship.

You will need to show your ID upon arrival, and your ID must exactly match all of the information you submitted in your application . A valid U.S. government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or military ID, is acceptable for U.S. nationals, as are valid U.S. passports.

Overseas Nationals

If you are planning on visiting the White House from overseas, you will need to contact your home country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. to submit a tour request before your departure. Foreign nationals must present their passport — no other forms of foreign ID will be considered as acceptable.

Disabilities

If you or anyone in your group is hearing, visually, or mobility impaired, their needs can usually be catered for through your member of Congress, or via your embassy. There is also a TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) at the Visitor Center, which can be contacted at 202-456-2121. Guide animals are permitted in the White House.

If you need the use of a wheelchair during your visit, you can request the loan of a wheelchair at the Visitor Entrance upon arrival. Unfortunately, reservations are not possible , but if you are able to secure one, there is a ramp to allow access to the entrance on the ground floor, and an elevator to take you from the ground floor to the State floor.

Hot Tip: While no tour company can get you access to the White House, you can take the popular hop-on, hop-off tour of Washington, D.C . on the red loop which takes in the White House, U.S. Capitol, and many more landmarks. 

On the Day of Your Tour

If you are successful in your application to book a tour of the White House, there are further instructions and guidelines to consider on the day.

Firstly, you should plan to get to President’s Park 15-30 minutes before your tour is due to start . This will allow plenty of time for presenting your ID to officers, taking toilet breaks, and ensuring that you don’t have prohibited items in your bag. Better still, if you arrive an hour or so before your allocated tour time, you can take in the exhibits and watch a video of the White House at the Visitor Center.

You will enter the White House by the south side of East Executive Avenue near the Southeast Gate , where National Park Service rangers will be on hand to assist you.

As you would expect, security is tight in and around the White House. Visitors must adhere to strict rules about what they can and can’t take with them during the tour.

Prohibited items include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Video cameras and cameras with detachable lenses
• Tablets and iPads
• Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and camera sticks
• Any bags, including handbags, purses, book bags, backpacks, diaper bags, and camera bags
• Any pointed object or sharp objects
• Food and liquids
• Aerosols and personal grooming items such as makeup or lotion
• Guns, ammunition, fireworks, electric stun guns, and mace
• Martial arts weapons or toy weapons

You should also note that there are no storage facilities at the White House , so if you accidentally bring prohibited items with you, there is nowhere to leave them, and you will be denied entry to the tour. Leave everything on the above list back at home or in your hotel room.

There are certain items that you can take with you on your tour, but they may be subject to usage limitations. These include:

• Compact cameras (can be used for still photography only, no video recording or streaming, and all lenses must be less than 3 inches long)
• Umbrellas without metal tips
• Cell phones (remember, though, that talking or texting is not allowed, and phones must be on silent)
• All items needed for medical purposes will be permitted, including wheelchairs, electronic scooters, glucose tablets, EpiPens, medication, etc.)

Hot Tip: Before and during the tour, you are at the mercy of government officers. In some circumstances, the U.S. Secret Service reserves the right to prohibit any other personal items that you may be carrying.

In these tech-friendly times, smartphone users will be delighted to know that there is a White House Experience Mobile App that you can download to enhance your experience during your visit.

Available on both iOS and Android , this is a useful tool for visitors who have not been successful in finding a place on an official tour, as well as those who have. Users can enjoy a virtual tour of the White House and the surrounding President’s Neighborhood, as well as taking a tour through the history of the White House and how its customs have evolved.

There are also a number of fun features to raise a smile. Snap a selfie with the Presidential Lookalike feature, or take the opportunity to virtually pilot the presidential helicopter around Washington, D.C., using the Fly Like Ike feature.

The Virtual White House tour offers visitors a glimpse of the interiors of the public areas including the East Wing, Family Theater, Library, Vermeil Room, China Room, Diplomatic Reception Room, Map Room, State Floor, as well as the famous rooms of the West Wing such as the Oval Office, Cabinet Room, and Press Room.

You can also sneak a peek into some of the upper floors, including the Treaty Room, the Lincoln Bedroom, the Queen’s Bedroom, and the President’s Dining Room.

While you are out and about, why not try the White House Neighborhood Walking Tour that provides turn-by-turn navigation of the President’s Neighborhood.

This tour stops at a range of historic landmarks, including Decatur House, Lafayette Square, St. John’s Church, Treasury Building, North Lawn, Blair House, Eisenhower Executive Office Building, South Lawn and Ellipse, and the White House Visitor Center. The app also provides information on points of interest at each of these locations.

During the spring and fall, the White House opens its stunning and extensive gardens to visitors. With the sun shining on Washington, D.C., garden lovers can stroll through the White House Kitchen Garden, the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, the Rose Garden, and South Lawn of the White House, while taking in the tranquil surroundings just outside the home of democracy.

The Spring Garden Tour usually takes place on a single weekend in April, while the Fall Garden Tour will is held over a weekend in September. Both White House Garden Tours are free and open to the public, but they are only open to ticket holders.

Tickets can only be obtained on the day , but there are often long queues of people waiting to get hold of them. Every member of your group must wait in-person to receive their ticket, and tours are timed throughout the day. Children are welcome to join you on your tour, but they will need their own ticket, and there are plenty of plaques and information points to take in during your self-guided tour of the gardens.

The White House Gardens are home to over 50 different kinds of vegetables, as well as berries, herbs, and even a beehive . In 2009, first lady Michelle Obama planted the Kitchen Garden in conjunction with her Let’s Move! Initiative that focused on health and well-being in America. To this day, the White House cooks still use fresh fruit, vegetable, and herbs that are grown there when cooking for the first family and their guests.

The Rose Garden is famous for the lush green lawn often seen in outdoor press conferences, and it can be found just outside the West Wing in view of the Oval Office. The Jacqueline Kennedy Garden is dedicated to the former first lady herself, and the wide-open lawns and gorgeous borders are often used for parties, teas, and awards ceremonies.

The South Lawn is where the president departs and lands on the official presidential helicopter, Marine One, and is also where the famous annual Easter Egg Roll is held. It is also home to a range of magnolia trees that were first planted by President Andrew Jackson back in the 1800s.

Hot Tip: Visitors are welcome to take photos during the tour and are encouraged to share them on Instagram using the #WHGARDEN hashtag to share the beauty of the White House Gardens with the world.

Often drawing as many as 35,000 parents and children on the South Lawn, the world-famous White House Easter Egg Roll is one of the most exciting events of the White House calendar.

This time-honored tradition was first established by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878 . What initially started as a few local families rolling eggs outside the White House on the first Monday after Easter , was extended when the growing crowds convinced President Hayes to invite young children to roll eggs inside the grounds of the White House Lawn instead.

If it hadn’t have been this kind gesture by the then president, the Egg Roll might never have happened, as members of Congress had already passed an Act banning egg rolling outside the White House as they deemed it be too disruptive.

The White House Easter Bunny holds celebrity status, and the giant 6-foot bunny suit has often worn by members of Congress, first wives, and a range of famous celebrities.

Anyone wanting to come and join in the fun must enter a lottery for a place. Children under 13 years are encouraged to attend, and the event is designed to promote healthy and active living. The lottery is usually held during February , and winners are notified via email the following month. There is no charge to enter the lottery , and attendance is literally by the luck of the draw.

Hot Tip: Commemorative White House Easter eggs can be purchased from the White House Historical Association online store and feature the president’s and the first lady’s signatures.

Located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave., the White House Visitor Center is a great place to visit to find out about the history of the building itself, as well as discovering the customs and events that the White House is so famous for.

What to See at the Visitor Center

Offering just shy of 1,600 square feet of museum-quality exhibits and galleries , there is always something new to see at the Visitor Center. There are nearly 100 famous historical artifacts on display, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s desk and a host of other interesting pieces, many of which have never been on public display before.

The Visitor Center is also home to a large-scale model of the White House and a number of interactive exhibits , including a touch screen tour of the interior.

One of the biggest highlights is a 14-minute film, “White House: Reflections From Within,” that is shown every 20 minutes. It features Presidents Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and a few first ladies and other family members reminiscing about their time in the White House. This is a popular attraction within the Visitor Center and a must-see whether you have managed to secure a place on a White House tour or not.

The White House Visitor Center is operated by the National Park Service . It is housed in historic Baldrige Hall in the Department of Commerce building. In 2014, the center was renovated to offer extra space in which to house a permanent museum gallery, a temporary exhibit area, an improved book sales area, and further visitor information facilities.

When to Visit

The White House Visitor Center is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day . It is free to enter and can be visited in conjunction with a White House tour if you are lucky enough to get on one, or as a stand-alone attraction.

Located at the heart of downtown Washington, D.C., President’s Park offers 82 acres of stunning open space that includes the parkland and gardens surrounding the White House . The park is home to some of the most famous statues, memorials, and structures in Washington, D.C., and the park is open to visitors all year round.

Throughout the years, the President’s Park has played host to many important events in history. These include marches and rallies held by suffragettes, freedom fighters, and anti-war protestors, as well as welcoming thousands of visitors to enjoy the annual Easter Egg Roll and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.

The National Park Service promotes 2 very distinct sides of the park for visitors to explore.

The Northern Trail

Beginning at the White House Visitor Center, visitors can proceed up to 15th Street to Lafayette Park on the Northern Trail . First opened in the 1820s, and redesigned in the 1960s, the park has been used as a race track, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers, and many other things along the way.

The park is also home to St. John’s Church, often referred to as the “Church of the Presidents,” and the whole area became a designated National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Statues and Monuments

The park is home to a number of statues that commemorate the many heroes who helped America during times of war. These include:

General Sherman Statue

Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman has his very own bronze statue that features a square platform with a bronze soldier at each corner. These represent the 4 branches of the U.S. Army: infantry, artillery, cavalry, and engineers.

General Lafayette Statue

Located at the southeast corner of Lafayette Square, this bronze statue was erected in 1891 and portrayed the Marquis de Lafayette petitioning the French National Assembly for assistance to the Americans in their fight for independence. On an adjoining pedestal, there is a bronze female figure, symbolizing America, turning toward him and imploringly lifting a sword.

General Kosciuszko Statue

Commemorating Polish patriot Thaddeus Kosciuszko and his life-long dedication to fighting for freedom in America and Poland, this bronze memorial is located in the northeast corner of Lafayette Park.

General Jackson Memorial

Located in the center of Lafayette Park, this statue portrays General Andrew Jackson reviewing his troops at the Battle of New Orleans. Depicting the general and his horse, the statue was dedicated on January 8, 1853, on the 38th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans.

General von Steuben Statue

Portraying Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730-1794) as he inspects American troops during the American Revolution, this statue recognizes not only his leadership but his commitment to raising the standards of sanitization for soldiers during the war.

General Rochambeau Statue

This French general commanded 5,500 Royal French Expeditionary Forces to help with the American forces during the war. The statue depicts Rochambeau directing his troops, as well as a female figure, Liberty, who raises 2 flags in her left hand, symbolizing the unity of the U.S. and France.

Other Landmarks and Buildings

Blair-lee house.

Serving as the official guesthouse for the president, Blair-Lee House was built in 1824. Various presidents and foreign dignitaries have stayed at Blair-Lee House throughout the years, and even today, many foreign heads of state are invited to stay there while visiting with the president.

Baruch Bench of Inspiration

Bernard Baruch was a wealthy financier from New York City who also served the country as an economic advisor during both World War I and World War II. Legend has it that he hated been driven to the White House and preferred instead to sit on a bench and wait for a signal that the president was ready to meet him.

In his honor, a commemorative bench with a bronze plaque set in granite block was dedicated on August 16, 1960, Baruch’s 90th birthday.

Navy Yard Urns

These huge ornamental bronze urns were cast using a melted cannon from the Civil War. They sit on giant pedestals at the center of Jackson Place and are a reminder of the hard-fought battles undertaken by Americans during the Civil War.

The Southern Trail

The Southern Trail begins at the White House Visitor Center and proceeds onto the Ellipse grounds, following a clockwise route around the parkland.

Monuments and Memorials

Butt-millet memorial fountain.

This tranquil fountain was erected to commemorate the deaths of Major Archibald Wallingham Butt and Francis Davis Millet. They both lost their lives on the RMS Titanic in April 1912. The fountain was also designed to double as a water fountain for the horses ridden by U.S. Park Police while on patrol.

Second Division Memorial

Erected to honor the 17,660 dead who served in the U.S. Army during World War I, this memorial was later extended to include a memorial to some of the most significant battles in World War II and the Korean War. It serves as a place of quiet contemplation and remembrance.

Original Patentees Memorial

This simple granite shaft was erected to remember the original 18 patentees whose land grants embraced the site of the federal city. Each side of the monument contains a relief panel carved with a symbol of the early pioneers’ agricultural pursuits, and the names of the original landowners are inscribed on the base.

Boy Scout Memorial

Dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, this statue stood on the site of the first-ever Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937. The bronze statue consists of 3 figures that represent the aspirations of all past, present, and future Scouts throughout the world. There is also a female figure that symbolizes enlightenment with the love of God and fellow man, justice, freedom, and democracy.

The Zero Milestone

This 4-foot-high shaft of pink granite is the official starting point for the measurement of highway distances from Washington, D.C. It was built to mark the starting point of the first transcontinental military motor convoy that traveled from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco.

First Division Monument

This was built in remembrance of the heroism of the soldiers of the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces who gave their lives during World War I. Further additions were made to also commemorate those who died in both World War II and the Vietnam War, as well as the Gulf War.

Bulfinch Gatehouses

Both of these gatehouses were build to oversee the U.S. Capitol grounds, and since 1889 they have weathered several floods, water, and the effects of acid rain.

The Ellipse

As perhaps one of the most famous areas of President’s Park, the Ellipse is a large open area surrounded by an oval drive. Over the years, the site has been used as a trash dump, horse pens, and even a slaughterhouse, but it is now often the meeting place for demonstrations and celebrations.

The National Christmas Tree

Every Christmas, local public schools erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse. This age-old tradition is a highly anticipated event, and each succeeding president has participated in since 1923.

A visit to Washington, D.C. would not be complete without taking a series of snaps of the White House. There are various ways to capture awesome images of one of the world’s most iconic buildings, even if you can’t get right up close to it.

The North Side From Pennsylvania Avenue

This view of the White House is one of the most famous images in the world. There is a fair distance between the sidewalk and the White House (as you would expect), but it is not impossible to get great pictures.

If you want to pass off the impression that you are inside the grounds of the White House, find a gap in the fence that is big enough to slip your digital camera through. Taking a picture of the White House straight on can make it look like it leans backward slightly. This is because there are no parallel vertical lines in the historical building.

You can either go with it and enjoy its imperfections or if you want your images to look super fancy, use the lens correction tool in Photoshop to fix this.

If you don’t mind seeing the fencing in your photographs, there are also some awesome images to be captured from Lafayette Park, where you can add stunning seasonal flowers into the foreground, too.

The South Side and E Street

On the south side of the White House, there are lots of trees that line the South lawn, which can be prohibitive to your view. There are, however, 2 walkways on E Street that offer you some excellent photographic opportunities.

You can take images through the fence on the north side of the street, or cross over to include people and bustling street scenes to add a sense of perspective.

Taking a short walk further away from the building itself, the Ellipse offers the opportunity for some excellent shots, and if you are lucky, you may be able to get Marine One in there, too. The base of the Washington Monument on Constitution Avenue offers some interesting viewpoints as well, as it has a slightly elevated position.

When to Take Pictures

Different seasons and times of the day offer different opportunities to capture the perfect picture. During the holiday season, the National Christmas Tree is bright and festive, with the White House providing a beautiful backdrop to great Christmas images, while the gardens around the White House look fantastic in both spring and fall.

Summer is the busiest time of year for visitors, so capturing images without bystanders is nearly impossible, but they can add an extra layer of perspective to your finished shots. Early morning and early evening shots add atmosphere, as the building looks magical lit up at night.

Bottom Line: No matter where you find yourself in the surrounding streets and parklands, you should still be able to take photographs that will keep your memories alive.

George Washington Never Lived There

Although he was responsible for commissioning the construction of the White House, his term ended 3 years before the building work was completed, and a year after he died. He is the only U.S. president never to have lived in the White House during their term in office.

He Was Responsible for the Design of the Oval Office, Though

The Oval Office was first used in 1909, and the oval shape was inspired by Washington’s love of unusually shaped rooms. He was believed to have preferred rounded shaped rooms at his home in Philadelphia, as he felt it made them more suitable for hosting formal gatherings.

The White House Was Built by Slaves

Controversial, but true, White House records show that the house was built by African American slaves who were trained as quarrymen, bricklayers, and carpenters to help complete the building project. This fact was brought to the attention of the American public by former first lady, Michelle Obama.

The White House Had No Electricity for Almost 100 Years

The White House was lit by gaslight right up until 1891 when the electricity system was first installed. The idea of electric lighting was still pretty novel at the time, and President Benjamin Harrison was worried about the dangers of touching a light switch. To protect himself throughout his time in office, he always had someone else switch the lights on and off for him.

It Didn’t Have Indoor Bathrooms for Decades, Either

Indoor plumbing systems were not part of the original design of the White House back in 1800. In fact, it wasn’t until 1833 that any kind of indoor plumbing was installed, and even then, not all of the bathrooms had hot and cold running water until some 20 years later in 1853.

It Was, However, One of the First Accessible Government Buildings

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was responsible for ensuring that the White House was and still is, entirely wheelchair accessible. Having suffered from polio, FDR was paralyzed below the waist and spent his time in office bound to a wheelchair.

Because of this, he took it upon himself to add elevators and ramps throughout the White House, making it one of the first wheelchair-friendly buildings in Washington, D.C. and possibly the U.S.

At Least 10 People Have Died in the White House

With such a high turn over of residents, it should come as no surprise that several people have passed away within the confines of its walls, too. Famous demises include Presidents William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor, as well as first ladies Letitia Tyler, Caroline Harrison, and Ellen Wilson, too.

It Is Said to Be Haunted

Many residents, staffers, and guests have all claimed to feel the power of the paranormal during their time at the White House. To this day, rumor has it that the ghost of Abraham Lincoln still walks the hallowed halls and corridors, and there have been many reported sightings of him throughout the house.

There Is a Secret Entrance

The White House has a secret entrance that is only used by the president and secret visitors. This is not unusual in high-profile buildings, but to enter via the secret entrance at the White House, visitors must go through 2 tunnels and an alleyway before reaching the basement.

This intricate entrance system was originally designed during World War II when there was an underground bomb shelter that sat beneath the White House.

There Is Also an Underground Swimming Pool

The White House has an outdoor pool that is enjoyed during warmer months, but it also has an interior pool hidden beneath its floors. First opened in 1933 for use by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the pool still exists today and can be found directly under the Press Briefing Room.

And a Dentist’s Office

If the president suffers from a sudden toothache, a lost crown, or a broken filling, there is a dentist on-site to deal with that. The basement of the White House is home to a dedicated dentist’s office, as well as plenty of other useful services, including a chocolate shop and a florist.

Tom Hanks Gifted Coffee Machines for the Press Briefings at the White House

During a tour of the White House back in 2004, the actor was surprised to see that there were no refreshment services for reporters who attended press briefings at the White House. Hanks immediately sent a coffee machine to be used in the Press Briefing Room and has upgraded the original machine twice since then.

In 2017 he sent a $1,700 espresso machine along with a note that read, “Keep up the good fight for truth, justice, and the American way. Especially for the truth part.”

The White House Nearly Fell Apart

During the Great Depression, there was very little money in the kitty for much-needed maintenance and repairs. Creaking floorboards, a leaking roof, weakened wooden beams, and swaying balconies all put the White House at risk of collapse, but the ongoing damage to the structure was not fully discovered until much later in 1948 when it was fully renovated.

The Current White House Is Not the Original One

During the invasion in 1814, the British burned the White House down, just 14 years after it had been completed. While the modern-day building has stood for hundreds of years, much of the original building was lost to the fire, and the rebuild was not completed until 4 years later.

The West Wing Wasn’t Always There

Home to some of the most famous rooms within the White House, the West Wing wasn’t actually even built until the early 20th century.

In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt called to have an executive office building built alongside the residence. President Taft doubled the wing’s size in 1909, which included the Oval Office, making President Taft was the first-ever president to use it.

It Has Been Home to a Wide Variety of Animals

Each new presidential resident and their families are welcome to bring their pets with them when they move into the White House.

This means that over the years, it has been home to lots of cats and dogs, as well as a variety of more unusual animals. These include a raccoon, opossums, and even a pair of tiger cubs that were gifted to President Van Buren.

It Is Also Home to a 7-Seat Hot Tub

Former President Bill Clinton was gifted a 7-seat hot tub that is installed near the South Lawn next to the swimming pool.

Due to rules and regulations on “gifting” items to members of Congress, the hot tub had to be donated as a legitimate therapy appliance. A spokesperson for President Clinton said at the time that the hot tub did indeed help with his injured knee.

It Wasn’t Always Called the White House

Over the years, the building we know as the White House has had a number of different names. Originally known as the President’s Palace, its name was later changed to Executive Mansion sometime around 1810.

It wasn’t actually until 1901 that President Theodore Roosevelt officially adopted the name White House and it has been known by that name ever since.

Nothing Comes for Free

It may surprise you to know that even the presidential family doesn’t get fed for free in the White House. While they don’t have to pay rent or bills while they live there, they are responsible for the costs of their personal food, dry cleaning, toiletries, and even the wages for waiters and other members of staff they employ for private events.

These costs are usually just deducted from their salary.

The Famous Resolute Desk Was Found on an Abandoned Ship

The Resolute Desk in the Oval Office was originally part of an abandoned British Navy vessel found off Baffin Island in the Arctic.

When the ship was decommissioned by the U.K., its oak timbers were used to create a desk weighing more than 1,000 pounds that Queen Victoria later gifted to President Rutherford Hayes.

To this day, we still see the presidents sign orders from behind this fabulous piece of furniture.

Many visitors choose to stay close to the White House during their visit. Here are some of the best to choose from.

Willard InterContinental Washington

This historic hotel is located on the world-famous Pennsylvania Avenue and has been a D.C. landmark for over 200 years. Offering executive suites and luxurious guest rooms, this 5-star hotel has stately interiors and is just a short walk the White House itself.

Stay in style surrounded by city or courtyard views, Keurig coffeemakers, and suites with separate living areas, whirlpool tubs, and even their own foyers. All guests are invited to enjoy the use of the beauty and wellness treatments available at the Mynd Spa and Salon.

You can dine at the authentic French brasserie, Cafe Du Parc, or take advantage of the full concierge service who can help you to make the most of your trip to one of America’s oldest cities.

The Hay – Adams

This luxury hotel offers unparalleled White House views from its position on the National Mall, and it is as popular with visitors as it is with Washington, D.C. insiders. Elegant interiors paired with first-class service and facilities make this 5-star hotel one of the most sought after in the city.

Bedrooms are upscale and very well appointed, with many offering fabulous views out across the National Mall. The wood-paneled walls, ornate fireplaces, and chandeliers found in the communal areas give the hotel an incredibly grand feel, and visitors may even recognize The Hay-Adams from television shows, including House of Cards and Homeland.

With a busy bar, a fitness center, and one of the city’s best restaurants all on-site, this hotel offers an authentic taste of upscale D.C.

JW Marriott Washington

Brilliantly located for visiting the White House and numerous other political and cultural landmarks in D.C., this renovated hotel offers luxurious lodgings on Pennsylvania Avenue. This is a modern hotel that has a bright and airy feel, with contemporary bedrooms and plenty of minimalist touches.

Guests love the large windows with fabulous views out across the city, as well as spacious bedrooms and bright and practical communal spaces. The hotel is also home to The Avenue Grill that serves up casual American fare, as well as a lively bar with a daily happy hour and a Starbucks coffee shop. This hotel offers affordable 4-star accommodation in the heart of D.C.

Sofitel Lafayette Square

This glamorous Art Deco style hotel sits just 1 block away from the White House and adds a touch of European flair to this most American of cities. With opulent interiors and seductive French flair, this 5-star hotel is located at the heart of the finest shops, restaurants, and landmarks the city has to offer.

Bedrooms are plush and well-appointed with tall windows and luxury linens, while the communal areas feel decadent. Guests are welcome to enjoy the great-tasting fare at the ICI Urban Bistro or join fellow guests for a cocktail or 2 at the bar. There is also a large basement fitness center, and spa treatments can be ordered to your room.

Club Quarters Hotel

This mid-range hotel offers comfortable and affordable accommodation just 2 blocks from the White House and right next to Farragut West Metro station, therefore affording easy access to the entire city. Designed very much with business travelers in mind, this hotel offers collaborative workspaces with super-fast Wi-Fi, wireless printing, and Mac and PC workstations.

Bedrooms are bright and airy and offer sleek interiors complete with yoga mats and resistance bands, while suites add kitchenettes and separate living areas. The hotel is also home to the Cafe Soleil that serves up fun, French-inspired food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hot Tip:  Looking for even more hotels? Explore our best hotels in Washington, D.C. to book with points. 

No visit to Washington, D.C. would be complete without a trip to see one of the most famous buildings in the world. Home to presidents for hundreds of years, the city is steeped in history.

If you are lucky enough to secure a place on an official White House tour, you will not be disappointed. But even if you are unable to get inside the building itself, there is still a wealth of attractions, landmarks, exhibitions, and open spaces for you to enjoy in the world-class parks and open spaces around the White House.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i get tickets to visit the white house.

You can get tickets to visit the White House through your member of Congress only. These tickets have to be requested a minimum of 3 weeks in advance and can be requested as early as 3 months prior to your tour date.

Is it free to visit the White House?

Yes, White House tours are free of charge and self-guided. The tours run from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. You must request tickets through your member of Congress.

Can you tour the Oval Office?

White House tours do not include the Oval Office and tours of the West Wing are usually reserved for VIPs or guests of the president.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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A Tour of the White House: The Entrance Hall

The Cross Hall and large Entrance Hall are at the center of the original plan by James Hoban for the state floor of the White House. The basic floor plan has not been altered substantially, although modifications have been made to the design and placement of the principle staircases. The plan is arranged so that the Cross Hall connects all of the state rooms and opens into a wide reception area - the North Entrance.

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Following a competition for the design of the President's House in the spring of 1792, Irish architect James Hoban was commissioned to build a home and office for the President of the United States. With guidance from President George Washington, Hoban employed craftsmen brought from as far away as Scotland and oversaw a free and enslaved labor force that constructed one

A Tour of the White House

In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy resolved to make the White House a “living museum” by restoring the historic integrity of the public rooms and displaying the very best of American artwork, furniture, and décor. In order to fulfill her vision, Mrs. Kennedy founded the White House Historical Association, a private, non-profit organization created in partnership with the National Park Servi

State Dining Room

The State Dining Room, which now seats as many as 140 guests, was originally much smaller and served at various times as a drawing room, office, and Cabinet Room. Today's State Dining Room incorporates the space that President Thomas Jefferson used as a private office. Tall and generously proportioned, the room had fireplaces on the east and west and was flooded

The Blue Room

The Blue Room with the Yellow Oval Room above and the Diplomatic Reception Room below it, form the most elegant space of James Hoban's plans for the White House. For the south wall of the Blue Room, he designed French doors flanked by long windows. An oval portico with curving stairs that descended to the South Lawn was included in

The East Room

Ascending from the Ground Floor Corridor, a marble stairway leads the White House visitor to the State Floor level. Off the landing to the right is the East Room. The largest of the State Rooms, it was designed by James Hoban and George Washington to be a "Public Audience Room." Second President John Adams and his wife First Lady Abigail

The Entrance Hall

The Cross Hall and large Entrance Hall are at the center of the original plan by James Hoban for the State Floor of the White House. The basic floor plan has not been altered substantially, although modifications have been made to the design and placement of the principle staircases. The plan is arranged so that the Cross Hall connects all

The Green Room

James Hoban, the original architect of the President's House, intended that the space now called the "Green Room" be used as a "Common Dining Room." An 1801 inventory revealed that first residents President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams actually used it as a guest bedchamber. However, the next chief executive, Thomas Jefferson, did serve meals in this room. Jefferson

The Ground Floor

The white marble walls of the Ground Floor corridor complement the vaulted ceiling arching gracefully overhead. Architect James Hoban installed the groin vaulting around 1793. Its sturdy construction withstood the fire of 1814. The vaulted ceiling seen today is a copy of the original vaulting built during the Truman Renovation between 1948 and 1952. One of the house's finest architectural elements, this ceiling was

The Red Room

Benjamin Henry Latrobe's 1803 drawing of the State Floor indicates that the Red Room served as "the President's Antechamber" for the President's office and Cabinet Room next door. During the James Madison administration, the room became First Lady Dolley Madison's famous salon. A sunflower yellow, not red, dominated the room's decor. Visitors were received at her famous Wednesday night receptions in

The Second Floor

When John Adams first occupied the President's House in 1800, the Second Floor was generally reserved for private and family use. President Adams kept a small office adjacent to his bedroom on the southwest corner of the house, but other early presidents chose to work in rooms on the State Floor. Around 1825, the two rooms that we now call the Lincoln

White House Visitor Center

In July 2012, the National Park Service’s White House Visitor Center began undergoing a $12.6 million revitalization through a public-private partnership with the White House Historical Association. The Association's donation of $12.5 million for the project and operating endowment helped make this extraordinary public resource possible. David M. Rubenstein's gift of $5 million to the Association for the White House Visitor Center ensures ce

John F. Kennedy at Gettysburg and Antietam Battlefields

In December 1960, as the country anticipated the centennial commemoration of the American Civil War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked the country to observe the upcoming anniversaries, “all to the end of enriching our knowledge and appreciation of this momentous chapter in our Nation’s history and of making this memorable period truly a Centennial for all Americans.”1 Many American families and ci

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The White House Situation Room Got a Much-Needed Makeover: See the Before and After Photos

One of the most important rooms in the world — where presidents dealt with the Cuban Missile Crisis, 9/11 fallout and raid on Osama bin Laden — became $50 million more functional in late 2023

Adam Schultz/The White House via Getty

Months ago, the White House completed its periodic revamp of one of the most important meeting spaces in the world: the Situation Room. Details of the $50 million renovation were made public, revealing a new backdrop where commanders-in-chief will carry out history-making work.

The president's intelligence hub is located on the ground floor of the West Wing — one level beneath the Oval Office. Despite its name, the Situation Room is not actually a single room: it's a basement complex, featuring three secure conference rooms and numerous work stations, where world happenings are monitored, classified briefings occur and the president's top security officials conduct business.

The command center is staffed around the clock by carefully vetted personnel from across the federal government, each of them ready to run intel up the chain in the event of an emerging crisis.

Pete Souza/The White House via Getty

Installed under President John F. Kennedy and modified several times since, the increasingly impressive Situation Room has played host to countless pivotal conversations with global ramifications.

It's where Kennedy managed the Cuban Missile Crisis, Lyndon B. Johnson spent sleepless nights monitoring the Vietnam War, George W. Bush officials dealt with the fallout of 9/11 , Barack Obama carried out the lethal Osama bin Laden raid , and Donald Trump 's chief of staff reportedly fired controversial aide Omarosa Manigault Newman .

Even as it's housed the most sensitive intelligence in the world, the Situation Room hasn't always looked like the glamorous crisis center you'd expect. In several iterations prior to the latest upgrade, it looked remarkably bland and was repeatedly described by White House staffers as uncomfortable.

Here's how the once-modest White House Situation Room has evolved over the years, including what's changed under the Biden administration.

The First Situation Room

Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

Though the idea of installing a secure communications site in the White House was first proposed to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, it was President John F. Kennedy who made it happen. He felt passionate about the project after the failures of the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba were partly attributed to the administration operating on outdated information.

As the Cold War continued to unfold, Kennedy rededicated an old bowling alley in the West Wing to become the new crisis management center. Alternate names that had been floated for the Situation Room included the "Nerve Center" and "Executive Coordination Center," George Stephanopoulos writes in The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis .

The inaugural Situation Room was wholly unimpressive by today's standards, but historic nonetheless. With slight upgrades here and there, the space was used by nine sitting presidents, from Kennedy to Bush Jr.

The Reagan Administration

Photo 12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

In an archival photo from 1985, President Ronald Reagan meets with the National Security Council to discuss the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.

Here, the classic mahogany square paneling is visible on the conference room walls, and the leaders enjoyed newer furnishings than what Kennedy had. Behind Reagan, the curtains are separated to display a poster of the United Kingdom's wartime leader Winston Churchill, including his famous quote, "Let us go forward together."

When the inaugural Situation Room, in service from 1961 to 2006, was removed to make way for a more modern iteration, parts of the original complex were reinstalled in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library , where it is now used for trainings and education.

The Bush Renovation

AP Photo/Eric Draper, White House

President George W. Bush oversaw the first major Situation Room renovation, when the initial conference room created by Kennedy was removed from the complex, along with other key areas.

In the photo above, Bush holds a March 2006 meeting with his national security team to talk about the latest developments in Iraq. Soon after, the complex underwent a disruptive nine months of construction.

AP Photo/White House, Kimberlee Hewitt

As The Washington Post reported in December 2006, when the Bush-era revamp was half complete, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once described the Situation Room as "uncomfortable, unaesthetic and essentially oppressive."

The 2006-2007 updates took several years of planning, beginning even before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. To make the space more functional and conducive to housing cutting-edge technologies, the complex was stripped down in its entirety till there were only bricks and bare floors. That also meant removing the antique mahogany walls.

Eric Draper/White House via Getty 

On May 17, 2007, Bush debuted the new Situation Room, which came with ceiling sensors to detect bugged mobile devices, additional secure video areas, a direct feed to Air Force One and new furnishings. The total cost of the project was not disclosed.

Just as Reagan's library inherited some of the original Situation Room structure when it was removed from the White House, Bush's official presidential library received other portions to preserve and use for education.

The Biden Refresh

Adam Schultz/The White House

Due to rapid technological advances and new cybersecurity threats since the Bush-era renovations — plus worn furniture and an outdated aesthetic — the White House Situation Room was ready for upgrades by the time Joe Biden began his presidency.

White House staffers were asked for input on what changes should be made during the project. The Biden administration disclosed that the yearlong remodel, which was completed in September 2023, costed $50 million.

The White House/Carlos Fyfe

On a functionality level, the Situation Room was fitted with new computers and monitors, faster servers, updated lighting, and higher-level audio equipment — including new overhead speakers in the ceiling. Digital clocks on the wall display the time zones of the places being discussed in meetings, as well as the time zone the president is in.

Marc Gustafson, the Situation Room director, told CNN that the design was "a marriage of traditional and modern," returning to the original mahogany aesthetic made from sustainably harvested wood panels. The presidential seal was enlarged at the request of White House photographers, and other top officials' seals can now be swapped in to match the person sitting at the head of the table.

The primary conference room — fitted with large monitors and a table with 13 chairs — is now called the Kennedy Room, in honor of JFK's vision for the complex.

It can better handle classified feeds from a variety of sources, to avoid another issue like what happened during the Osama bin Laden raid, when President Obama and several officials were crammed in a side room to monitor the operation because it's the only place where they could get the video to display. (The Obama library received parts of the Bush-era Situation Room in honor of what he accomplished there.)

When a future president inherits the next Situation Room refresh, they will have an easier time getting it done, thanks to the modular wall design that offers easier access to the equipment within. And until then, national security officials can enjoy a fully functioning space that looks straight from the movies.

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As Chiefs head to the White House, will Travis Kelce's lucky charm Taylor Swift be there?

WASHINGTON — Will she or won’t she?

President Joe Biden welcomes the Kansas City Chiefs to the White House on Friday to celebrate their Super Bowl win. But people will keep their eyes peeled to see if Taylor Swift, who is dating the team’s tight end Travis Kelce, makes it to the event.

For White House Swifties who are hoping their reigning queen of pop makes an appearance, it’s guaranteed to be “The Best Day.”

At a recent press briefing, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary did not confirm the attendance. However, she wasn’t coy about the buzz the prospect of a Swift visit had generated.

“I think the Swifties behind these double doors are hoping that Taylor Swift makes an appearance,” Jean-Pierre said with a laugh. “I can’t speak to her schedule, but I know there’s a lot of interest in this building and on campus.”

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

While these celebrations of athletes are meant to be nonpolitical, politics have colored these events before.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump − and current GOP presumptive nominee − disinvited that year's Super Bowl winners, the Philadelphia Eagles, from a victory celebration at the White House. The team refused to promise that all players will stand with hand on heart for the national anthem, as Trump had insisted.

If she were to make an appearance, some may also read more into Swift's visit. In 2020, she endorsed the president one month before the election. So far, she has not issued a public endorsement for the 2024 presidential election.

But many believe Swift, who was Time Person of Year 2023, has the clout to change the outcomes of elections.

In a post on X, Hollywood director Rob Reiner said he would "give anything" for Swift to endorse Biden for re-election publicly. Other including, right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec questioned the Swift-Kelce pairing , insinuating their relationship was a PR-driven effort  designed to boost the NFL  and bolster to turn out among white liberal female voters for Biden.

Others have gone as far as to speculate that Swift is a Pentagon plant. Conspiracy theories abound.

Even Trump weighed in, saying he had done so much for her and other musicians referencing legislation he signed in 2018 meant to modernize copyright laws. He wrote "there's no way" she could endorse Biden and be and "be disloyal to the man who made her so much money. "

Of course, Swift's influence has been well documented. In September of 2023, Swift posted a short message on Instagram Stories, encouraging her 272 million followers to vote. According to Vote.org, more than 35,000 registrations were recorded following Swift’s post. 

Earlier this year, the Chiefs secured a victory in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers won for the third time in five years and becoming the first team to win back-to back Super Bowl championship since the New England Patriots almost two decades ago.

Swift, who attended a total of 13 (her lucky number) Chiefs games − of which the team won 10 − has earned the status of a good luck charm for the team.

The songstress, who is currently touring Europe as part of her “Eras Tour” played in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday night and is due back in Lyon, France, on Sunday. That does offer a short window to make it to the White House.

The tradition of sports teams visiting the White House dates back to at least Aug. 30, 1865, when President Andrew Johnson welcomed the Brooklyn Atlantics and Washington Nationals amateur baseball clubs, according to Thomas Nuemann of ESPN. Ulysses S. Grant played host to the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, in 1869.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were the first Super Bowl champion to visit, joining the World Series-winning Pittsburgh Pirates in a dual ceremony with Jimmy Carter in February of 1980. 

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY.   You can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @SwapnaVenugopal

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The Chiefs Are Going to the White House Today — Here's What Travis Kelce Hilariously Did on His Last Visit

The Chiefs tight end returns to the White House with his teammates after causing a viral moment during the team's 2023 visit

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Will tight end Travis Kelce attempt a takeover of the presidential podium during this year's Kansas City Chiefs' White House visit? Only time will tell Kelce and the rest of his Chiefs teammates will be making a trip to the White House for a second year in a row on May 31 after winning Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers in February.  The team last visited the White House nearly a year ago, on June 5, 2023. During that trip, Kelce, 34, went viral after he tried to speak at the presidential podium.

The Chiefs had defeated the Philadelphia Eagles to win Super Bowl LVII, prompting President Joe Biden to make plenty of jokes about First Lady Jill Biden ’s “rabid” support for the Pennsylvania team, despite Kansas City's win. Kelce and his fellow teammate and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes were selected to present the president with his own Chiefs jersey.

Chiefs leaders Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were in charge of giving a custom jersey to the leader of the United States Monday during the team's White House visit. Story: https://t.co/5pq7ViCPoo pic.twitter.com/Syykqjh6A2 — KMBC (@kmbc) June 5, 2023

Related: Patrick Mahomes Playfully Steers Travis Kelce Away from Making White House Podium Speech: 'Sorry! Sorry!'

After Kelce and Mahomes, 28, presented the jersey to Biden, Kelce went straight to the presidential podium to speak a few words. Kelce was only able to say "So I’ve been waiting for this. . . ." into the microphone before he was hilariously pushed away by Mahomes.  “Sorry, sorry,” Mahomes apologized on behalf of Kelce, while the rest of the team — and the president — laughed off the moment.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a podcast episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce posted on last June, Kelce spoke about the viral moment and shared that he wanted to say “to my fellow Americans” at the podium.  “I’ve always admired, obviously, the president at the podium is iconic, right?” he said in the episode. “I shouldn’t have started off with ‘I’ve always wanted to do this.' Pat knew right away I was in over my head. ... Shout-out to Pat for keeping me from embarrassing myself at that podium, man, in front of the whole world."

Related: Jason Kelce Calls Wife Kylie His 'Equal' in Response to Tweet Calling Her a 'Homemaker Whose Home Is a Mess'

Kelce's brother and retired Eagles center Jason Kelce , who he co-hosts New Heights with, chimed in at the time and said “If you would have started off with My Fellow Americans, that would have been such a showstopper. I don’t think they would have kicked you off.”

Of course, soon after the fun moment, Kelce connected with pop superstar Taylor Swift , kicking off their continent-charting romance . Swift was in the crowd as the Chiefs won the Super Bowl this year, and spent the night celebrating with him in Las Vegas.

Swift just wrapped up two performances of her Eras Tour in Madrid, Spain, and is next set to play shows in Lyon, France, this weekend.

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Read the original article on People .

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White house crowd shouts 'where's taylor' at travis kelce during chiefs visit, share this article.

The Kansas City Chiefs commemorated their second consecutive Super Bowl title on Friday, partaking in the annual White House visit as a team.

While Chiefs players, including star tight end Travis Kelce, were in attendance, there was one conspicuous absence. Taylor Swift, who has been in a high profile relationship with Kelce since last year, did not attend the ceremony.

But that didn’t stop a fan in attendance from asking where she was.

During the end of the ceremony, in which Kansas City players placed a helmet on President Joe Biden, you can pick up an audible “Where’s Taylor?” in the clip below.

The President of the United States just finished a press conference with a #Chiefs helmet on his head.. I mean America is just a different kind of country.. Here's the whole interaction with Joe Biden, Travis Kelce, and the helmet presentation.. pic.twitter.com/ukzYj5ckvd — PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) May 31, 2024

pic.twitter.com/AJFiqkccfg — 🏈👑 (@TayvisHaze) May 31, 2024

Kelce, who also spoke during the ceremony, joked that he was told he would be Tased if he stepped up to the podium.

Swift attended quite a few Chiefs games during the 2023 season, including the Super Bowl victory. That appearance required her to take a break from her international tour as she flew back to the United States from Japan for the game.

With that in mind, it shouldn’t be a major surprise that her absence here — while completely understandable — drew the attention of some curious fans.

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Biden signs executive order drastically tightening border

WASHINGTON — Facing mounting political pressure over the migrant influx at the southern border, President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed an executive order that will temporarily shut down asylum requests once the average number of daily encounters tops 2,500 between official ports of entry, according to a senior administration official.

“The border is not a political issue to be weaponized," Biden said in a White House speech announcing the order.

The shutdown would go into effect immediately since that threshold has already been met, a senior administration official said. The border would reopen only once that number falls to 1,500. The president’s order would come under the Immigration and Nationality Act sections 212(f) and 215(a) suspending entry of noncitizens who cross the southern border into the United States unlawfully. 

Senior administration officials said Tuesday in a call with reporters that “individuals who cross the southern border unlawfully or without authorization will generally be ineligible for asylum, absent exceptionally compelling circumstances, unless they are accepted by the proclamation.”

The officials said that migrants who don’t meet the requirement of having a "credible fear" when they apply for asylum will be immediately removable, and they “anticipate that we will be removing those individuals in a matter of days, if not hours,”

The White House conveyed details of the long-awaited move to lawmakers on Monday , but confirmed details of the executive order Tuesday morning ahead of planned remarks by the president in the East Room of the White House alongside mayors from several border towns.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Texas state Rep. Eddie Morales Jr., whose district includes Eagle Pass. “One of a number of steps that are necessary for us to be able to secure the border.”

In 2018, the Trump administration tried to enact similar border restrictions but courts blocked them. The Biden administration now expects to defend the executive order against legal challenges.

The executive order will also have some exceptions, including for unaccompanied children. 

In a written statement, Donald Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavett claimed that exception would give a “green light to child traffickers and sex traffickers” while reiterating the former president’s rallying cry that “the border invasion and migrant crime will not stop until Crooked Joe Biden is deported from the White House.”

Republican lawmakers are slamming the move as too little, too late. 

“(Biden) created a crisis at the border intentionally,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. “(The executive action) has more political risk than political benefit, particularly because his own base is going to reject it.”

But the White House has repeatedly argued that it was congressional Republicans who have failed to act on immigration. Earlier this year, Trump urged House GOP members to kill a bipartisan border funding bill that had been negotiated in the Senate. At the time, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans said that the Senate bill didn’t go far enough and they argued that a more hard-line immigration bill in the House was preferable. 

“President Biden has led a historic opening of lawful pathways for individuals to and including families, to enter the United States through a lawful process, including the CBP One mobile application to request an appointment to present at a port of entry, as well as family reunification programs in countries throughout the region and a historic parole process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans,” a senior administration official said. “And so this measure that we are announcing today comes alongside those lawful pathways,”

The executive action comes on the heels of a  historic presidential election in Mexico  and just as the campaign in the U.S. ramps up. Trump has a  30-point edge with registered voters  on the question of which candidate would better handle immigration and border security, including a 23-point edge among Latino voters, according to a late-March CNBC national poll.

Many immigrant advocates are furious at the president’s harsher immigration policies and argue the changes will cause chaos.

“It is a betrayal of what we were told in his campaign four years ago,” said Lindsay Toczylowski, the executive director for the California-based Immigrant Defenders Law Center. “We were told that President Biden would be restoring humanity at our border. … But what we are seeing is that history is repeating itself.”

Lee Gelernt, the deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants’ Rights Project who argued the challenge to asylum restrictions during the Trump administration, said the advocacy group planned to sue.

“ A ban on asylum is illegal just as it was when Trump unsuccessfully tried it,” Gelernt said in a statement.

Gelernt on Tuesday said the ACLU was still working out the timing of the lawsuit and where it would be filed during an interview with NBC News' Tom Llamas.

"I'm hoping that we can convince the administration, if not the courts, that this is misguided and illegal, and maybe the administration can pull it back or mitigate it," Gelernt said.

When asked about potential lawsuits during a call with reporters on Tuesday, a senior administration official said the agency was "prepared" for any forthcoming legal battles.

“I think we are accustomed to being litigated, frankly, from both sides of the political spectrum, for just about any measure we take in this space, and that is just yet another sign that there is no lasting solution to the challenges we are facing without Congress doing its job,” the official said.

Gabe Gutierrez is a senior White House correspondent for NBC News.

Monica Alba is a White House correspondent for NBC News.

Biden awkwardly dons Chiefs helmet during team’s White House visit in echo of Michael Dukakis gaffe

W ASHINGTON — President Biden briefly wore a football helmet Friday during a celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl championship — in a bizarre callback to 1988 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis’ infamous photo-op of himself wearing a helmet atop a military tank.

“Put it on!” Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce goaded the president after head coach Andy Reid and owner Clark Hunt presented the 81-year-old president with the autographed gift on the White House lawn.

Biden, who had just delivered brief remarks congratulating the team, held the helmet above his head and attempted to do exactly that — initially smacking the headgear on his aviator sunglasses, which he had to remove as the team members roared behind him.

“Oh s–t!” a member of the team could be heard exclaiming in proximity to a White House microphone as Kelce, the boyfriend of musician Taylor Swift , and his teammates laughed.

Swift did not attend the DC event due to her ongoing European tour.

Biden approached his lectern and hunched over to say something, but technicians seemed to have already turned it off the recording device and his words were inaudible.

The president then removed the helmet before clutching it in his hand as he walked back to the White House.

As was the case with Dukakis, who donned his protective headgear to demonstrate his readiness to lead the military, Biden’s football photo-op invited immediate ridicule.

“They’re not laughing with him — they’re laughing at him,” tweeted the RNC Research rapid response account, which often generates viral online content.

Bobby LaValley, an aide to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) noted Biden’s repeated boasts to have excelled at football and the fact that he tried to wear both his sunglasses and the helmet at the same time.

“‘Biden loves to brag about his football career; you’d think he would know how to put on a helmet,” LaValley tweeted .

Others offered more upbeat appraisals of Biden’s photo op.

“Biden is a rock star,” wrote one X user. “He put on a @Chiefs helmet during the welcome to the team that won the last Super Bowl! The players shouted ‘do it do it’ and that’s how it happened.”

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Biden is said to be finalizing plans for migrant limits as part of a US-Mexico border clampdown

President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at Girard College, Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Jordanian migrants walk along the border walls separating Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, to apply for asylum with U.S authorities Tuesday, May 7, 2024, in San Diego. San Diego became the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in April, according to U.S. figures, the fifth region to hold that title in two years in a sign of how quickly migration routes are changing. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Chinese migrants wait to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico Wednesday, May 8, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs, Calif. San Diego became the busiest corridor for illegal crossings in April, according to U.S. figures, the fifth region to hold that title in two years in a sign of how quickly migration routes are changing. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is finalizing plans for a U.S.-Mexico border clampdown that would shut off asylum requests and automatically deny entrance to migrants once the number of people encountered by American border officials exceeded a new daily threshold, with President Joe Biden expected to sign an executive order as early as Tuesday, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The president has been weighing additional executive action since the collapse of a bipartisan border bill earlier this year. The number of illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border has declined for months , partly because of a stepped-up effort by Mexico. Still, immigration remains a top concern heading into the U.S. presidential election in November and Republicans are eager to hammer Biden on the issue.

The Democratic administration’s effort would aim to head off any potential spike in crossings that could occur later in the year, as the fall election draws closer, when the weather cools and numbers tend to rise, two of the people. They were not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing discussions and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The move would allow Biden, whose administration has taken smaller steps in recent weeks to discourage migration and speed up asylum processing, to say he has done all he can do to control the border numbers without help from Congress.

The talks were still fluid and the people stressed that no final decisions had been made.

The restrictions being considered are an aggressive attempt to ease the nation’s overwhelmed asylum system, along with a new effort to speed up the cases of migrants already in America and another meant to quicken processing for migrants with criminal records or those who would otherwise be eventually deemed ineligible for asylum in the United States.

The people told the AP that the administration was weighing some of the policies directly from a stalled bipartisan Senate border deal, including capping the number of encounters at an average of 4,000 per day over a week and whether that limit would include asylum-seekers coming to the border with appointments through U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s CBP One app . Right now, there are roughly 1,450 such appointments per day.

Two of the people said one option is that migrants who arrive after the border reaches a certain threshold could be removed automatically in a process similar to deportation and would not be able to return easily. Migrants were able to more easily return to the border if they were expelled under the pandemic-era policy known as Title 42. Under that arrangement, Mexico agreed to take back some non-Mexican nationalities, including migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Migrants, especially families, claiming asylum at the southern border are generally released into the U.S. to wait out their cases. But there are more than 2 million pending immigration court cases, and some people wait years for a court date while they live in limbo in the U.S.

Anyone can ask for asylum regardless of whether they arrive illegally at the border, but U.S. officials are increasingly pushing migrants to make appointments, use a legal pathway that avoids the costly and dangerous journey, or stay where they are and apply through outposts in Colombia, Guatemala and Costa Rica.

The Biden administration has grown ever more conservative on border issues as the president faces ceaseless criticism from Republicans and there are large numbers of migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico who are not easily returned, especially as global displacement grows from war, climate change and more.

The immigration authority that the administration has been looking to use is outlined in Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act . It gives a president broad leeway to block entry of certain immigrants into the U.S. if it would be “detrimental” to the U.S. national interest.

Senate Republicans last week again blocked a bill that would have enshrined some of the same efforts into law. The vote was meant to underscore GOP resistance to the proposal even as Republicans have clamored for more restrictions and argued that Biden has not done enough to stem the flow of migrants entering into the U.S.

The bipartisan bill had been negotiated for months and appeared, for a moment anyway, to be heading toward passage. It was even endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council and its president Brandon Judd, an avowed supporter of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. But Trump, concerned about handing Democrats an election-year win, called on Republicans to tank it, and they did.

White House officials did not confirm the expected executive order.

White House spokesman Angelo Fernández Hernández said the administration “continues to explore a series of policy options and we remain committed to taking action to address our broken immigration system.”

“While congressional Republicans chose to stand in the way of additional border enforcement, President Biden will not stop fighting to deliver the resources that border and immigration personnel need to secure our border,” he said.

Congress this year approved funding for a total of 41,500 detention beds and increased money for immigration enforcement and removal operations by $1.2 billion over what the White House had initially requested. That included $106 million in more funding for programs that monitor immigrants in the asylum system through phone apps and ankle bracelets, rather than through detention.

Those increases, negotiated after the collapse of the bipartisan deal, could pave the way for the administration to ratchet up immigration enforcement.

Yet unlike legislative action that is binding, anything Biden does through executive action can be challenged in the courts, and will almost certainly be, so it not clear whether — or if — the clampdown on asylum would begin. The administration was weighing other actions too, including faster and tougher enforcement of the asylum process.

The administration has generally paired proposed crackdowns with an expansion of legal paths elsewhere and was also planning to do so in the future, but not at the same time the new restrictions were announced, the people said.

Associated Press writer Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

Michigan Central Station’s renovation: Before-and-after photos show dramatic change

We went back through the Free Press' photo archives to unearth old photos of Michigan Central Station — many of them showing a seriously decayed interior and exterior after years of abandonment. Then, staff photographer Mandi Wright headed inside to photograph the newly restored Detroit landmark. This series of Before and After images shows the breadth and detail of Ford's $950 million restoration that included restoration of the 30-acre campus that transformed multiple properties in and around the Corktown neighborhood.

Ceiling detail

LEFT: Ceiling detail in the Great Hall in 2015. (Jessica J. Trevino, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: Ceiling detail in the Great Hall in 2024. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

Cornice and arch

LEFT: An archway and cornice detail in 2018 shortly after Ford bought the abandoned station. (Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: The same archway and cornice detail in 2024. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

The Grand Hall

LEFT: The Grand Hall with its soaring ceilings and massive marble columns in 1999. (John Collier, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: The newly restored Grand Hall with its Guastavino tile vaulted ceiling with more than 29,000 tiles and recreated chandeliers in 2024. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

Wall graffiti

LEFT: Years of abandonment left the train station open to urban explorers who painted graffiti on interior walls of Michigan Central Station. This image is from 2018 shortly after Ford bought the building. (Ryan Garza, , Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: Ford chose to leave some of the urban art as a nod to the station's history. This corridor was photographed in May 2024. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

The concourse

LEFT: Travelers would catch the train at Michigan Central Station in the concourse before the building was closed in 1988. In 2018, the ceiling was devoid of glass. (Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: The concourse area in 2024 has a newly restored steel and glass ceiling and the graffiti was cleared from the walls. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

The carriage house

LEFT: The carriage house inside Michigan Central Station in 2018 showing the area where the train clock used to hang. (Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: In 2024, the stolen, but returned clock is now a fully restored clock and back over the ticket counter adjacent to the carriage house. An anonymous person returned the clock in 2018 shortly after Ford bought the iconic Detroit landmark. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Columns adjacent to the concourse

LEFT: Columns flanking the area near the concourse area inside Michigan Central Station in 2015 were covered and graffiti and sections of the ceiling were missing. (Jessica J. Trevino, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: In 2024, fresh light fixtures, clean columns and a repaired ceiling lead into the concourse area which has a newly restored steel and glass ceiling. Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

Michigan Central Station entrance

LEFT: In 2009, more than 20 years after Michigan Central station had closed, weather and vandals had taken its toll on the exterior of the Detroit landmark. (Susan Tusa, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: Today, the exterior of the 640,000-square-foot train station is clean and the towers' 1,184 windows restored to preserve the station’s historic appearance. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

The ticket counter

LEFT: In its heyday, millions of visitors passed through Michigan Central Station, the Beaux Arts-style building which opened in Detroit in 1913. In this photo from 1966, passengers line up at the ticket office. (Ed Haun, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: The ticket counter in 2024. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

Wall detail

LEFT: In 2018, much of the plaster work and Guastavino tiled vaulted ceiling in the Grand Hall was in serious disrepair. (Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press) RIGHT: In 2024, the vaulted ceiling containing 29,000 along with decorative plaster work has been meticulously restored or recreated. (Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press)

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Patrick Mahomes plays tour guide, Chiefs have fun with President Biden in return to White House

WASHINGTON — Known as a master at making magnificent passes, Patrick Mahomes found himself Friday doing what he often does with his teammates, even if he didn’t have a football in his hands. Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback, passed as much information as he could to many of his teammates who were in the midst of their first time being inside the White House.

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The Chiefs’ return to the White House to celebrate their second consecutive Super Bowl victory, a second visit in less than a year, allowed Mahomes to demonstrate his ability to recall all the artifacts that fascinated him the most, many of them he learned 11 months ago from President Joe Biden.

“I’m showing other guys pictures on the wall, I’m showing paintings and some old furniture,” Mahomes said. “I felt like I was trying to be a tour guide.

“What makes it special is the guys that didn’t get to do it (last year). You talk about it all year long. You talk about the White House trip, winning the Super Bowl and everything that comes with that. Getting to show some of these young guys and guys that have come from other teams, it’s a special moment for them and you get to see that smile on their face when we leave.”

Within minutes of Mahomes sharing his second experience at the White House with reporters, a group of his first-time visiting teammates — defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah , receiver Rashee Rice , linebacker Drue Tranquill , cornerback Nic Jones and former safety Mike Edwards — sneaked into the media briefing room, a few of them approaching the presidential lectern for a fun photo opportunity. One reporter asked Anudike-Uzomah a simple question: What was the best part of the tour?

Shaking his head and smiling, Anudike-Uzomah responded with only one word: “Everything.”

History walks these halls. pic.twitter.com/C43clflMeN — Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 31, 2024

At 4:30 p.m. ET Friday, the Chiefs’ final act of their memorable 2023 season began when 32 players who played a role in the team’s championship appeared on the stage in front of the Rose Garden. The group included players who are no longer on the roster: Edwards, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed , backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert , tight end Blake Bell , linebacker Darius Harris and punter Tommy Townsend .

In his short speech, Biden commended the Chiefs for their ability to persevere through a difficult regular season and their toughest playoff path with Mahomes, who became their leading man in 2018. Aaron Schatz, the chief analytics officer of FTN Network and inventor of DVOA, said the Chiefs faced the hardest postseason road to a championship ever, based on the regular-season DVOA of their four opponents. Biden proclaimed that the Chiefs’ sustained success should lead Mahomes, coach Andy Reid, tight end Travis Kelce and pass rusher Chris Jones to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the future.

“When the doubters questioned you whether you could pull it off, believe me, I know what that feels like,” Biden said, smiling. “But anyway, I don’t think anybody is doubting you now. You fought hard. You kept the faith.”

In another dramatic Super Bowl, Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 25-22 comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers in overtime, the franchise becoming just the ninth team to be back-to-back champions. Mahomes completed all eight of his passes on the final drive, his final connection an easy 3-yard, walk-off touchdown to receiver Mecole Hardman . One of the highlights of Biden’s speech was his giving Mahomes a new nickname: The Comeback King.

“It was cool coming from the president,” Mahomes said. “We all understand how tough it is (to win a championship). I’ve dealt with losing in the Super Bowl and losing in the playoffs. You don’t take these moments for granted. These are the moments you’ll remember for the rest of your life. I’m glad I get to do it with a lot of guys that I call my brothers.”

In his five-minute speech, Biden didn’t mention Taylor Swift, the pop superstar who began dating Kelce early last season. Biden also didn’t look at or mention kicker Harrison Butker , who stood on the top row during the ceremony. Earlier this month, Butker criticized Biden for how he handled several issues, including abortion and the COVID-19 pandemic, in a commencement address at Benedictine College. Butker questioned Biden’s devotion to Catholicism, too. Throughout Biden’s remarks, Butker didn’t smile and rarely applauded him.

The only political statement Biden included in his speech was on gun violence. He praised four members of the Chiefs — right guard Trey Smith , long snapper James Winchester , running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Reid — for their response in aiding fans after the shooting in Kansas City in February after the Super Bowl parade , when one person was killed and at least 22 others were wounded.

“This team is exceptional, though as a country we have to do more to stop the tragic shootings before they happen,” Biden said. “Last year, I talked about how after winning the Super Bowl, many of these players went up to coach Reid and asked what they could do better. Even at the peak of their success, they’re looking for ways to work harder, to dig deeper and to improve.

“That’s the powerful lesson about sports in the nation: We’re a great nation because we’re good people, we never give up, we look out for one another and we leave no one behind. That’s America. I’ve never been more optimistic about our future. We just have to remember who we are. We’re the United States of America, and there’s nothing we can’t do when we do it together.”

Travis Kelce: "I'm not gonna lie, President Biden, they told me if I came up here I'd get tased, so I'm gonna go back to my spot." The Chiefs are at the White House. 🎥 @AriMeirov pic.twitter.com/aZQa5yHeb8 — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 31, 2024

Of course, as they did last year, the Chiefs were still able to produce a few funny moments.

A year ago, Kelce, who is known for his comedic timing and exuberant personality, made the crowd laugh when he approached the lectern, saying just seven words — “So, I’ve been waiting for this moment …” — before he was gently pushed back by Mahomes to join his teammates on the stage while photographers snapped shots of Biden with a red No. 46 jersey with his last name stitched on the back.

This time, Biden welcomed Kelce to the microphone.

“My fellow Americans … it’s nice to see you all yet again,” Kelce started, leading everyone in the crowd to laugh, including Biden. “I’m not going to lie, President Biden. They told me if I came up here, I’d get tased, so I’m gonna go back to my spot, all right.”

Joining the players on the stage was Reid, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, special teams coordinator Dave Toub, general manager Brett Veach, team president Mark Donovan and club owner Clark Hunt, who missed last year’s ceremony when Norma Hunt, his mother, died the day before the event at age 85 .

“Over the past few years, the men behind me have elevated the status of Kansas City and united football fans across the country and throughout the world,” Hunt said of the Chiefs’ earning three Vince Lombardi Trophies in the past five years. “There’s a lot that can divide us today, but for so many of us, sports provide a unifying joy that we all need.”

The 10-minute ceremony ended with Hunt and Reid presenting Biden with the gift of a Chiefs helmet that featured three autographs in black marker from Veach, Reid and Donovan. Within seconds of holding the helmet, Biden was encouraged by Kelce to put the helmet on. Biden obliged, much to the surprise of the players, who responded with loud cheers and laughter. Even Butker smiled and laughed at Biden’s gesture.

At the urging of the #Chiefs players, President Biden to put the @Chiefs helmet on. I’m sure this will be used in various ways on social media lol #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/QFWjwS6zPV — Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) May 31, 2024

With the helmet still on, Biden turned around and put his hands up near the face mask to show Mahomes that he was ready to catch an over-the-shoulder pass.

“We feel blessed to be here,” Reid said after the team’s tour of the White House. “It’s been tremendous. I don’t know how many presidents have tried on your team helmet. This might be a first. It’s history being made.”

Biden’s last act on stage was to spend a few more minutes chatting with Mahomes, shaking the quarterback’s hands several times. Biden left the Rose Garden smiling with his new helmet in his left hand. Mahomes stayed on the stage and took a few seconds to look around.

“Just to get to look out and see the Washington Monument, it’s a cool moment,” Mahomes said. “I appreciate it. Hopefully, we’ll get to come back again. I’ll appreciate it every single time.”

(Photo: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

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Nate Taylor has been a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Kansas City Chiefs since 2018. Before that, he covered the Indiana Pacers at The Indianapolis Star for two years. He has also been a sports features writer for The New York Times and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A Kansas City native, he graduated from the University of Central Missouri. Follow Nate on Twitter @ ByNateTaylor